Allison N. McCoy, MD, PHD
Dr. Allison N. McCoy earned her degrees at some of the the top institutions in the world. She earned her undergraduate degree, medical degree, and doctorate of philosophy at the Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. McCoy then completed her ophthalmology residency and neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University’s Wilmer Eye Institute. This was followed by a prestigious two-year American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Michigan.
Dr. McCoy’s clinical interests include:
- Eyelid and eyebrow lifting surgeries for both cosmetic and functional reasons (blepharoplasty, ptosis surgery, endoscopic brow lifts)
- Cosmetic lower eyelid
- Scar-less midface lifts
- Reconstruction after Mohs’ skin cancer excisions
- Thyroid eye disease
- Orbital tumors
- Fractures
- Corrections of complications from prior cosmetic procedures
- Eyelid malpositions from aging and congenital anomalies
- Blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm
- Cosmetic laser therapy and injections with Botox, Sculptra, and fillers.
Dr. McCoy treats each patient with care, customizing her treatment plan to achieve the most natural-looking and beautiful results possible. Her goal is to preserve and highlight the facial characteristics that define a patient’s unique identity. She also enjoys teaching, having published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, as well as lecturing and presenting research nationally and internationally.
As a Ph.D. neuroscientist, Dr. McCoy has been involved in clinical and basic science research involving targeted therapy for thyroid eye disease. She has a special interest in visual perception, understanding the principles that define beauty and facial identity. Her passion lies in utilizing these principles to restore facial identity when it is lost due to aging, trauma or disease.
CREDENTIALS
Background
- BS in Biology, minor in Art History, Duke University (Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude)
- MD, PhD, Duke University Medical Scientist Training Program (a prestigious program funded by the National Institutes of Health)
- Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology
- Fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery, orbital surgery, and neuro-ophthalmology
Honors
- Phi Beta Kappa, 1996
- Joanne and Irving Diamond Award for Teaching, 2002
- Cover for Nature Neuroscience, 2007
- Transitional Resident Project of the Year,
- 2008-Neil Miller Research Grant Award, 2009
- Michael Boland Research Grant Award 2010
- Mitchell Prize for Resident Research, 1st Place, 2011
- Heed Fellowship, 2011-2
Academics and Research
- Co-editor of definitive textbook on thyroid eye disease
- Lecturer and educator with over 20 peer-reviewed publications
- Co-principal investigator for clinical trials involving targeted therapy for thyroid eye disease
- Basic science research involving the neurobiological basis for beauty and facial recognition
- Utilizing principles of facial recognition to guide surgeons in preserving and restoring facial identity when it is lost due to aging, trauma, and disease